Parmesan is a straw-coloured hard cheese with a natural yellow rind and rich, fruity flavour. It…

Method

Heat a large, wide frying pan, then crumble in the sausage meat and fennel seeds (there’s no need to add any oil). Fry for a few mins until golden and the fat is released, stirring well to break up the meat. Add the mushrooms and fry for a few mins until beginning to soften. Stir in the wine now, if using, bubble for 1 min, then add the tomato sauce and heat through until bubbling.

Meanwhile, boil the penne. When ready, drain and tip into the sauce. Mix well until completely coated, then divide between four plates, finishing with a little Parmesan.

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Comments, questions and tips

I make a sausage ragu but never using a readymade jar of pasta sauce. I sweat onion, garlic, diced celery and carrot in a saucepan I have browned sausages in. Add wine, tomato puree and tinned tomatoes (I prefer to use good quality tinned plum tomatoes and chop in the pan) add the sliced brown sausages ( #I don't bother skinning) and simmer for 30 mins or 4hrs plus on low

chriselle

24th Oct, 2016

5.05

Hubby is not usually a fan of any kind of pasta/spaghetti type dish, but he absolutely loves this. I have made this twice, once with a Loyd's roasted peppers sauce and the second time as per another suggestion below with one jar of Loyd's roasted garlic and one jar of tomato & basil, much preferred the second time with mixed sauces. Also less spicy, bit too much heat first time round for me and my 3 year old. Another bonus is that for a family of 3 (2 adults and 1 child), we have been able to freeze enough for a second dinner later in the week/following week.

tree1568

9th Feb, 2015

3.8

delicious, scaled down the quantities for one, replaced mushroom with courgette (allergic) and parmesan with cheddar, gorgeous. 8/10 and used napolina's tomato and red pepper sauce instead I can never cook lloyd gross mans, always ends up tasting like apples

jose81

4th Feb, 2015

5.05

Had this tonight when we needed a quick recipe with sausages. absolutely delicious and plenty for a family of three plus baby. Used gluten free tagliatelle and didn't have fennel so used jerk seasoning. Also made our own tomato sauce with tinned and herbs etc (packet ones can be very sugary). Will definitely go on the regular meals list.

abunzl

21st Jun, 2014

My partner just cooked this dish for my 3 yr old and I and it is DELICIOUS! We substituted the Lloyd Grossman tomato and chilli sauce for tomato and basil and added half a tin of tomatoes. We also added a tin of puy lentils at the end to simmer and warm through for around 5 mins and this made an amazing thick and rich sauce, soooo good!!! Our little boy loved it too :)

hughgr

4th Feb, 2014

thank you for all the usefull comments! I will definitely give this a try!

jiggler69

19th Dec, 2013

Have to agree with folk on here. An outstanding and very very simple recipe. Very easy. Very quick.

Natasha79

22nd Nov, 2013

Great dish, tasty and easy to do. Only downside for me and my family was that the jar was a bit spicy for my 3 year old - maybe try Tomato with Basil next time.

wimmer

14th Aug, 2013

5.05

This is sooo tasty. Made it using Sainsbury's TTD fresh herb & pork sausages. Fried the mush in a large non stick saucepan. Added the wine and reduced to one tblspn. Added one jar of Loyd's roasted garlic and one jar of tomato & basil - really good combination - cheaper to buy large but not available in my small supermarket. Covered and simmered very gently for about an hour while dry frying the sausagemeat . It is not possible to 'crumble' the meat so I mashed it with a fork on the worktop saver and then fried it and broke it up with the end of an egg turner. I had about 3 tblspns of fat to discard so a good way of doing it if you are heart healthy. Added this to the sauce and simmered for about 20 mins while the pasta was cooking. Used Tesco's dischi volanti which worked perfectly. Omitted fennel.

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